Exoplanets - NASA -Resolution Speckle Imaging Program

Exoplanets – NASA High‑Resolution Speckle Imaging Program

Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code: 0124‑NPP‑MAR
26‑ARC‑Astrophys

All applications must be submitted through Zintellect. Please visit the NASA Postdoctoral Program website for application instructions and requirements: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

Application components:

• Research proposal
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official doctoral transcript documents

Final date to receive applications: 3/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone

The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers unique research opportunities to highly talented scientists to engage in ongoing NASA research projects at a NASA Center, NASA Headquarters, or at a NASA‑affiliated research institute. These one‑to‑three‑year fellowships are competitive and designed to advance NASA’s missions in space science, Earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and astrobiology.

The NPP Fellowship seeks a Postdoc / Research Scientist for the NASA Ames exoplanet speckle imaging group. The group operates multiple high‑resolution imaging instruments—NESSI, Alopeke, and Zorro—installed at the WIYN 3.5‑m, Gemini‑N, and Gemini‑S 8‑m telescopes. The instruments share common operating and data reduction software to process and reduce data for submission to the NASA Exoplanet data archive.

• Integrate into the NASA high‑resolution speckle image group and become familiar with the speckle instruments, data reduction, and analysis techniques.
• Perform software analysis to determine instrumental/observational metrics such as S/N and contrast limits.
• Revise and maintain documentation on the preparation of speckle observations and the reduction of data.
• Support the project in the design and implementation of outreach, including a webpage, to increase awareness of speckle data.
• Help the NASA exoplanet community use these assets, participate in observing programs at various telescopes, and anticipate or lead the writing and submission of scientific papers related to this position.
• Develop a personal research program comprising approximately 25% of your time.

The position will be located at NASA’s Ames Research Center (ARC) in Moffett Field, CA. It is initially for two years with the possibility of extension for a third.

Astrophysics

Steve Howell
steve.b.howell
(650) 604‑4238

Applications with citizens from Designated Countries will not be accepted at this time unless they are Legal Permanent Residents of the United States. A complete list of Designated Countries can be found at: https://.

Eligibility is currently open to:

• U.S. Citizens;
• U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR);
• Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J‑1 visa status; and,
• Applicants for LPR, asylees, or refugees in the U.S. at the time of application with
  1) a valid EAD card and
  2) I‑485 or I‑589 forms in pending status.

Questions about this opportunity? Please email npp.

• Ph.D. in astronomy, physics, or a related field.
• At least one year of experience at a scientific or research organization.
• At least one year of experience in observational astronomy.
• Experience in scientific computation with knowledge in one or more of C, Tcl, GTK, IDL, Python and/or other common scientific computational software platforms.
• Experience with high‑resolution imaging, and/or binary stars, and/or exoplanet research.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
• A record of independent research and contributions to publications.
• Ability to work well with others on a team.

Mikeala

Doctoral Degree.

Internship

Full‑time

Other

Government Administration